Tiny House: Eco-Friendly Mill Valley Home Under the Redwood Trees

A tiny home amid giant redwoods -- what could be more Californian? This little slice of heaven, located in picturesque Mill Valley, CA, is only a short drive from San Francisco and could be yours for just $539,000.

Built in 1949, the home was originally contained within nearby Stolte Grove, a small thicket of redwoods, before it was partitioned from the lot. The new owner rehabbed the property, rebuilding from the foundation and remodeling the interior, creating the current layout.

(Dreaming of doing the same? Be forewarned: Listing agent Lynette Kling of Coldwell Banker says chances are small the buyers would be allowed to expand.)

Despite its small footprint (the home clocks in at just under 500 square feet), this one-bedroom home feels large, thanks in part to high ceilings and sky lights. But those features can't take all the credit -- its open, breezy, studio-style floor plan flows gracefully from the kitchen to the bedroom.

The home's environmental footprint is just as small as its square-footage: Kling says the home's "green touches" include bamboo flooring, a plug for an electric car, and energy-efficient appliances.

"The way the home is positioned on the lot itself gives it an expansive feeling," she says.

For a tiny space, the outdoor possibilities are endless: Kling says the new owners would find plenty of room to put in a swing, a horseshoe pit, a fire pit, or all of the above.

If that's not enough, just stroll down the street for some entertainment: During the day, explore the nearby nature trails, and at night make your way to the historic 2AM Club, a local watering hole better known as the cover image for Huey Lewis and the News' album Sport. (Or, alternatively, for the "toilet seat guitar" hanging above the bar.)

Kling says buyers looking for a low-key, friendly lifestyle would adore the home: "It feels very private, but there's a cool community around with all the neighbors," she says. "They're definitely involved and know each other."

And when you're home, you can dedicate your time to relaxing -- not to cleaning. "It's a great house for people who are looking to enjoy life and not have the burden of a big home," Kling says.